Thousands show up for Brazil’s training session

Thousands of fans watched Brazil’s final training session yesterday before their World Cup warm-up game against Panama today.

Fans arrived early at the Serra Dourada Stadium to get a glimpse of the players who will try to win the World Cup at home beginning next week.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made reference to 20,000 people watching on, but initial estimates by police said between 5,000 and 10,000 supporters were at the stadium. Attendance at the 50,000-capacity Serra Dourada had been limited to 20,000 fans because of security reasons.

Mostly clad in Brazil’s yellow colours, fans faced long lines to get into the venue. It was free to watch the training session but fans needed to have tickets.

The crowd chanted “Brazil, Brazil, Brazil” as they waited for their idols, then cheered loudly when the players entered the field. Fans yelled every time a player came near the sidelines or when a goal was scored.